The unemployment rate in Massachusetts dropped to 2.9 percent in November, falling from 3.3 percent in October and marking the first time it has been below 3 percent since January 2001. Employers added 5,800 jobs in November — 3,800 of which were in government, while more than 1,000 jobs were added in each of the following three industries: construction, financial activities, and professional, scientific and business services.

Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.6 percent.

The tight labor market has created a talent shortage locally and is prompting Massachusetts employers to move quickly through the hiring process. PSG advises employers to stay in touch with what is going on in the market and develop a clear picture of their talent needs. Organizations that begin the recruitment process when they are unsure of the role or unprepared to move quickly risk wasting time and even hurting their employer brand. For more advice on how to operate efficiently in the current job market, reach out to a PSG rep today for a consultation!

The unemployment rate in Massachusetts fell for the fourth consecutive month, from 3.6 percent in September to 3.3 percent in October, the lowest rate since 2001.

With a gain of 1,700 positions, the professional, scientific and business sector added more jobs in October than any other industry tracked by the government. Several of the state’s industries experienced job losses, however, including education and health services; trade, transportation and utilities; leisure and hospitality; and financial activities.

The job losses could be an indicator that employers are not adding jobs because they cannot find the talent to fill them. Massachusetts is currently at full employment.

The Massachusetts unemployment rate fell again, from 3.9 percent in August to 3.6 percent in September, the lowest level it has been since June 2001.

Massachusetts employers created 5,100 jobs in September with the biggest gains coming in education and health services, leisure and hospitality and manufacturing, according to the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

“The rate has fallen dramatically in the last two months, 0.3 percent this month, and 0.2 percent the month before,” Ronald L. Walker II, the state’s secretary of labor and workforce development, said in a statement. “While these are preliminary estimates, this is very good news for the Commonwealth.”

Massachusetts’ unemployment rate is lower than the national rate of 5 percent.

While this news excludes other trends, such as the number of workers who are in jobs that they actually like or those who are working part-time when they’d prefer to be in a full-time position, it is trend in the right direction. Another positive trend includes the recent news that wage growth hit 2.6 percent for the past year, the highest level since the Great Recession. Job and wage growth are signs that employers are feeling confident and investing in the economy.

What does this mean for employers? As many Boston firms know, hiring talent when unemployment rates are low means being flexible, acting quickly, and staying focused. It’s also important to focus on retaining existing staff and to make sure you are on top of staff development and promotions to reduce the risk of losing people. PSG is proud to help clients meet their recruiting and hiring goals in this challenging market.

According to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Massachusetts added 7,300 jobs in July 2016 and saw its unemployment rate fall a tenth of a percentage point to 4.1 percent.

July estimates show 3.4 million Massachusetts residents were employed and 146,100 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3.6 million. At 4.1 percent, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is down 0.7 percent over the year from 4.8 percent in July 2015. Over the year, the labor force participation rate has increased 0.1 of a percentage point compared to July 2015.

The Massachusetts unemployment rate remained at 4.2 percent in June for the third consecutive month, according to data released by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Massachusetts added 16,400 jobs in June for a total of 48,100 jobs added in the first half of 2016. Some of the jobs reflect the settlement of the Verizon strike, the state has said. Over the year, from June 2015 to June 2016, the state added 67,300 jobs.

In Massachusetts, there were 25,000 fewer unemployed people and 49,600 more employed persons in June 2016 compared to June 2015.

The Massachusetts unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate of 4.9 percent.

According to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, the unemployment rate in Massachusetts held at 4.2 percent in May, the lowest rate Massachusetts has seen in 15 years.

Statistics show Massachusetts lost 6,400 jobs in May, which the state is blaming on the Verizon strike. Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said: “The labor force continues to grow, with 7,000 more employed residents and 2,000 fewer unemployed residents in May. Eduation and health care, and professional, scientific and business services sectors continue to generate the most jobs in the Commonwealth.”

The Massachusetts unemployment rate rose slightly – to 4.7 percent in November from 4.6 percent the previous two months, according to the State Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall number of jobs in Massachusetts grew by 5,900 in November and has grown by 67,700 so far this year, exceeding the total number of new jobs added to the economy in all of 2014.

According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Massachusetts’ unemployment rate dropped 0.1 percent between August and September. The current rate of 4.6 percent is down from 6 percent in September of 2014. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 5.1 percent.